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Park Operations and Rhino Coordination Technical Advisor, Zambia
Frankfurt Zoological Society – North Luangwa Conservation Project
North Luangwa National Park, Zambia

A field based position managing a long-term park support project with a successful black rhino re-introduction, applicants must have extensive park operations and rhino monitoring and protection experience. An initial two year contract is available.


Frankfurt Zoological Society works for a world that protects and values biological diversity as the basis for all life and the livelihoods of present and future generations. Within this context, our goal is to work with and for people to secure biodiversity in key ecosystems worldwide. FZS maintains long-term conservation programmes in Africa, South America, Asia and Europe. All programmes focus on the CBD’s Ecosystem Management Approach. The Africa Programme is FZS’s largest and oldest and is active in six focal countries: the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. FZS’s first overseas conservation activities were launched in the DRC and Tanzania more than 50 years ago. Our Africa Regional Office (FZS-ARO) is situated in the Serengeti National Park which remains our flagship project area. For more information see www.fzs.org

FZS–NLCP: Park Operations and Rhino Coordination TA
This is an international position where experience in all areas of protected area management, both technical and financial, is required. Project implementation is integrated with ZAWA and thus relationship building and people skills are essential. The position is currently based at Marula-Puku camp in the 4,600 km2 North Luangwa National Park (NLNP) in eastern Zambia. FZS-NLCP has been partnering with ZAWA for more than 20 years and together we have successfully reintroduced 15 black rhino to NLNP. The current partnership agreement expires in early 2008 and will be renewed for a further 10 years. The North Luangwa ecosystem is included in the EU-FZS Serengeti-Luangwa Ecosystem Management Project (SLEMP), which is piloting the CBD’s ecosystem approach in two of Africa’s outstanding ecosystems. The North Luangwa component of this project (NEMP) also falls within NLCP and is headed by an FZS TA based at Mpika who coordinates overall ecosystem activities. There is an FZS accountant in Mpika who supports FZS-NLCP activities.

Specific responsibilities:
• Overall coordination and responsibility for all FZS-NLCP Park Operations and Rhino Coordination activities and budgets
• Managing and overseeing the implementation of all day to day FZS-NLCP activities in the NLNP in coordination with ZAWA and all other partners
• Representing FZS, together with the NEMP TA, on the joint FZS-ZAWA NLCP management committee
• Preparation of annual budgets and work-plans in coordination with partners
• Reporting, both activity and financial, to FZS and other partners as required (for FZS: biannual activity reports and quarterly financial reports)
• Implementing the NLNP General Management Plan (GMP) in partnership with ZAWA
• Supporting, mentoring, developing and training (where necessary) all FZS-NLCP and ZAWA counterpart staff such that they continually take more responsibility for NLCP activities
• Liaison with the FZS Rhino Coordinator for all NLCP Rhino activities
• Maintaining the FZS-NLCP aircraft
• Maintaining all FZS-NLCP stores and equipment in NLNP
• Assisting with fund-raising for certain NLCP activities
• Jointly representing FZS in Zambia – together with the FZS-NEMP TA
• Maintaining good communication with FZS-ARO
• Ensuring that all FZS-NLCP operations and activities are within FZS-ARO policy, the FZS-ZAWA agreement and Zambian law

Qualifications & skills – required (only applicants with these will be considered):
• A minimum of 10 years experience in Protected Areas Management in developing countries, with at least 5 years experience in an African country, including:
• 5 years experience as a warden or section ranger with responsibility for all park operations in the management area
• Experience of managing an area that contains black rhino
• Experience of coordinating anti-poaching activities
• Experience of black rhino monitoring
• Experience of ranger-based monitoring
• Degree or diploma in a relevant conservation or natural resources management field
• Excellent communication and political skills
• Project and staff management and mentoring experience
• Ability to live and work in a remote area where communication is difficult
Please note: This position requires PA management experience and not research project experience

Qualification & skills – desired:
• Implementing biodiversity and ecosystem monitoring activities
• Experience with tourism development and management
• Practical skills in vehicle maintenance, electrical maintenance
• Exposure to conservation/environmental education programmes
• Fundraising experience
• Previous work experience in Zambia

Terms and benefits:
• The salary is in the range of €24,000-32,400 p.a. depending on qualifications and experience
• 6 weeks annual leave
• Annual return flights from Zambia to home base
• International medical insurance, including emergency evacuation cover
• Reasonable personal use of the project vehicle

An initial contract of two years will be offered, subject to a rigorous six-month probation period. Potential candidates should ideally be considering a longer-term commitment. As for all FZS overseas postings, the contract will be offered on a “freelance work” basis, not as permanent FZS staff. Living conditions in the NLNP are simple and there are no social services and opportunities (medical facilities, schooling etc.) for older families.

Application:
To apply, please email a CV and covering letter to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it by the 3rd of September 2007. The covering letter will be used to judge the quality of your application and should answer the following questions:
1. What led you to apply for this position?
2. What is the single most important technical ability that you would bring to the project?
3. What is the single most important technical ability that you would need to develop to successfully manage the project?
4. What is your single most important personal characteristic that would help you succeed in this job?
5. What do you think is the most important innovation going on internationally that will benefit NLCP?
Short-listed applicants will be notified by the 7th of September.
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